For once Denethor shows his good capabilities. Praise where praise is due. I like Minardil and I can understand his discomfort at taking praise for Thorongil without revealing where the tactics of the battle came from. My estimation of Jamar raised a notch when I read the description that even the mighty Thorongil feels the strain of carrying the water buckets day-in day-out. If my guess is right and Thorongil will eventually help Telpiriel deliver, then Denethor's discomfort and animosity will reach new heights.

Author Reply: Yes, Denethor has it in him to be a good General, if never a great Captain. I'm glad you like Minardil, and his discomfort: poor honest man! And Jamon... yes, he's a man of some mettle. He'd have to be, really, to desert Sauron's army for Sauron's greatest (martial) enemy!

Prediction duly noted. No spoilers! ;-)

Cimarron's Girl

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/5/2015

Another intriguing chapter! I wonder how long it will be before Denethor discovers Thorongil's ingenuity as a tactician... Although I'm shocked such a clever fellow would dare to duck in between a frightened horse's legs! What an ending that could have been for Isildur's heir!

As always, I eagerly await the events of the next chapter and the revelation of Thorongil's latest scheme. He actually would have made an excellent spy, although he was not.

Cheers!

Author Reply: Ah, yes! Our young Chieftain-in-disguise is still a little bit of a cocky young fool, even if he only shows it by ducking under the occasional warhorse.

Thrilled as always to have you eager for more! He *would* have been a good spy: no wonder Denethor is suspicious.

Marianel

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/5/2015

Feels so good! The tenth seems a force to be reckoned with after all!💪🏽👊🏼. Denethor surprises me with his good will and praise and he rose a notch in my eyes.Praise be where it should😌Poor Estel in his misery of heavy waterbuckets and harrying men to stop his way with the water! I see him before me .I laughed at his endurance.Hes indeed a remarkable person with humility and patience surpassed only by an old elf and even they can lose patience which says a big bit!😂I also adore your Captain Minardil .Hes wise in his own small ways. I actually think a little bit of both Legolas, Faramir and especially your own Losfaron( from a Long and weary way good readers of Cana) when you write of Minardil. I hope you dont mind that likeness. Minardil is my new fangirl fancy currently hahaha! Minardil seems young but he has a good head on his shoulders and he will learn. No - I still haventt forgot Losfaron!I truly enjoyed this chapter too.Arrh you must tire of my lengthy reviews.Im so sorry I cant help myself, my head full of pictures from your stores!

Author Reply: Yay! Glad it felt good. Denethor is a hard man, but he tries not to be a hypocrite: praise where praise is due.

Estel's impatience always awed me. Just looking at how much it takes to break it... wow. I mean, Ioreth and the Herbmaster weren't sufficient.

It's wonderful that you like Minardil! Thank you. Your reviews are lovely: don't be self-conscious! I'm thrilled you're enjoying the story so much.

Camp6311

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/5/2015

I'm with Minardil on this one. "‘How are you to show your worth if you will not let your achievements be seen?’"

Author Reply: Wise Captain, wise reader.

Sneha

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/4/2015

My eyes shone when I saw the two new chapters! I am sorry to have missed the last update. How wonderfully detailed you are! I felt like I was in the battle in the last chapter, not too much details but just enough. I love the conversation between Denethor and Minardil, he does seem genuinely appreciative even though there is still that tinge of condescension. But he would not be Denethor otherwise,I can't wait for the next chapter and see what the surprise is! I think my favorite part of both chapters is the image of Aragorn you left me with, writing on the ground and strategizing for the next day! There is something so hopeful, so sincere about that gesture, He truly is a wonderful leader of men!I love the bit with the Steward and his daughter! I am so looking forward to read how it all comes together.Finally, thank you for replying to my query! I also live in a english speaking country in the western hemisphere and recently started working in healthcare!I I do hope you will realize your dream someday of writing, I will definitely buy your book! Take care and best wishes!

It's hard to imagine who would be above Denethor's condescension, frankly. :-D

How lovely to know you like that image of Thorongil drawing in the dust. Hopeful and sincere: how well you describe him!

Cheers!

WindSinger

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/4/2015

Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying this tale. I really appreciate your attention to detail and the fleshing out of your characters. I can truly loose myself in each chapter and am dismayed when I reach the end. Sometimes I wish I would find these really good stories after they are done so I can read them from start to finish with no interruptions. Very nice. Thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to the next installment.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! The praise and encouragement are so very much appreciated, and it means a lot to know you like my characterisations. Thank you!

someone

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/4/2015

It's understandable that Minardil feels a little awkward, having to take the whole credit for the victory. What is surprising is Denethor's attitude. He's genuinely happy (or at least, looks like it) and impressed, and also lets Minardil know it. For once, I like his attitude, at least compared to that of the captain of the Second Company. The captain seems a bit... bitter, both at having lost and having someone take him down. Perhaps the latter was even worse from his point of view.

A little glimpse at Aragorn's life in Imladris with the horse, what has he been doing if he was told often to not duck under a horse! I must agree with Gilraen and the captain, it was foolish. The heir of Elendil, killed in a mock battle while taking a shortcut between a horse's legs... That would have been an embarrassing end. It is amusing to see how surprised Thorongil is every time someone comes close to his own height, and how he almost overanalyzes every comment.

Apparently, the newest generation of the house of Mardil is a rather temperamental lot. As Ecthelion seems to be a calm man, did they get it from their mother?

Author Reply: Well, Denethor is a hard man, but he does appreciate success and the Tenth's success is ultimately good for Gondor. He also gets to enjoy the feeling of being the benevolent lord handing out praise to his good and loyal Captain. ;-)

Haha! What indeed? Estel was a handful in his own way. It would have been a sorry end to the line of Elendil, wouldn't it?

As someone considerably above average height, it *is* a bit surprising (and disconcerting) to come up on someone taller. Thorongil, having spent almost a decade in Rohan, is definitely NOT used to it.

UTfrog

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/4/2015

A new chapter is a great way to begin my Friday. I am so sorry for Ecthelion's daughter. Her frustration is understandable. I also liked the way her father tried to help. So Denethor has something sneaky planned. Why is that not a shock? Looking forward to the next mock battle. Thank you.

Author Reply: So pleased you liked the scene with Ecthelion and Telpiriel. Aaaaand Denethor... *shrugs*

Larner

Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 12/4/2015

The chance that Denethor suspects the antecedents of Thorongil as the northerner described to Minardil is, after all, quite strong. It is more likely that his frustration is primarily fed by Thorongil's unwillingness to give more precise detail and the natural attitude of command Thengel's former captain demonstrates, however. There is a natural nobility in Thorongil that Denethor finds disturbing--that is certain.

Love the interlude between Ecthelion and his daughter, by the way. I can appreciate her frustration at not being able to stir beyond her bedroom and having to submit to being ministered to around the clock when she'd rather be up and doing. Why do I suspect that eventually Thorongil will have the chance to minister to her in his role as a healer? Heh!

And the Tenth Company has good reason to feel good about themselves today!

Author Reply: That's it exactly: the insistence upon secrecy coupled with Denethor's recognition that Thorongil is very much more than he seems are the crux of the problem. He's ascribing dark motives where none exist, but he *is* right that this "humble" recruit is hiding something enormous.

Poor Telpiriel: "she'd rather be up and doing" is the perfect way to phrase it! Worse still, the boredom only invites more worry.